Langtang & Gosainkund Lakes
Langtang & Gosainkund Lakes
15 Days Starting and ending in Kathmandu
Visiting: Himalaya, Nepal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TNL
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 14
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The stunning Langtang Valley lies to the north of Kathmandu and sees fewer trekkers than the Annapurna or Everest regions. In Autumn it is blessed with superb views of the great peak of Langtang Lirung (7246m), while in spring it comes alive with birds and flowers. This trek takes us to the glaciers below Langtang Lirung, perhaps the summits of Kyanjin Ri or Tsergo Ri (optional) for some magnificent panoramas, and the spectacular holy lake at Gosainkund, an important place of pilgrimage. Parts of the Langtang Valley and Langtang village were devastated in the 2015 earthquake and now that the lodges have been repaired or rebuilt, the best way to show support is for trekkers and tourism to return. Our new route makes use of the best lodges and forms more of a circuit that the traditional trail.
Highlights
Itinerary
The group flight is an overnight flight scheduled to depart London this
evening.
Day 2
The group flights are scheduled to arrive into Kathmandu this afternoon. Free
airport transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied
your flight details to Exodus in advance and requested transfers. A
representative will meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to
the hotel. There are no activities planned today so if making your own travel
arrangements, you can arrive at any time. Upon arrival to the hotel please
look out for a noticeboard in the reception area with details of where and
when to meet for your welcome briefing this evening. There is an Exodus desk
in the hotel lobby should you require any assistance.
*Hotel Royal Singi (or similar)*
Day 3
Leaving the Kathmandu Valley we have a long drive ahead (approx. 7-8 hours) -
the road condition is poor and so we use jeeps. We drive out of the Kathmandu
Valley and head northwards to Trisuli Bazaar. Continuing on, the road climbs
to Dhunche and the Langtang National Park before descending to the river
where we reach Syabrubensi, a small town at 1,462m where we spend the night.
*Teahouse*
Day 4
We begin our trek by descending to the river, which we cross by bridge. We
then have a steep climb away from the river to Kanjim, where we have lunch.
Climbing further, the trail contours around into the main Langtang Valley. We
have wonderful views ahead and down to the river. We end today with a short
descent to Sherpagoan, a small village perched on terraces high above the
Langtang Khola at 2,490m.
*Teahouse*
Day 5
We continue up the valley towards Langtang. The walk starts off easily,
following an undulating trail through Sherpagoan and into the forest, past
Rimche and further on to Lama Hotel; a collection of lodges in a forest
clearing. The trail undulates up further through the forest with glimpses of
the mountains ahead. We pass Riverside and have lunch a little further on at
Chhunama. In the afternoon we have a shorter walk, uphill mostly, to Ghora
Tabela (3,035m), where the valley starts to open out. Most of the area around
here was destroyed in the earthquake and lodges are just now being rebuilt.
*Teahouse*
Day 6
The valley now opens out as we continue our climb. The trail ascends through
the few tea houses at Thangshyap and we come to the moraine that was
Langtang. Langtang village was destroyed in the earthquake of 2015 and was
covered by rock and ice moraine. A path now leads across the moraine, a
poignant and sad reminder of the power of nature. Once across the moraine we
come to a few newly built lodges and a memorial to those who lost their lives
in this valley in the earthquake. Climbing out of Langtang we pass the small
settlement of Mundu. The valley opens out now to reveal spectacular mountain
views. To our left the impressive Langtang Lirung towers directly above us
and ahead is the great snow-covered bulk of Ganchempo. The trail climbs
steadily past many prayer walls until at 3,880m we come to the teahouses at
Kyanjin Gompa. Once there was only a small cheese factory here but now it is
a bustling place with many lodges.
*Teahouse*
Day 7
We spend a day at Kyanjin Gompa with a chance to explore the area. There are
various optional day walks around here. The most popular walk is up to
Kyanjin Ri (4,350m) and Kyimoshung Ri (4,620m). These two viewpoints above
Kyanjin Gompa offer some of the most stunning mountain views in Nepal. An
impressive array of peaks surrounds us - Langtang Lirung and Kyimoshung,
whose huge glaciers tumble to the valley floor. Straddling the Tibetan border
are Dorje Lhakpa, Ganchempo and a whole host of 6,000+m peaks whilst across
the valley are Naya Kang and the Ganja La pass. For the very energetic there
is the chance to climb Tsergo Ri (often written Cherko Ri) – at 4,984m.
This is a full day's walk (8-10hrs) but worth it for the views from the top.
Another option is to walk towards the Tibetan border and Langshisha, where we
get wonderful views of the mountains bordering Tibet.
*Teahouse*
Day 8
A long day in terms of kilometres but an easy walk, mainly downhill, with
great views down the valley. We leave Kyanjin and retrace our route down past
Mundu and across the moraine of Langtang to Ghora Tabela. Heading back into
the forest the trail undulates down the valley through Chhunuma and Riverside
back to Lama Hotel (2,500m), a small collection of lodges in the forest.
*Teahouse*
Day 9
Below Lama Hotel we leave the trail we walked up the valley on and turn off
steeply to the left. A rough rocky and narrow trail takes us steeply down to
the river and a bridge across the Langtang Khola (2,150m). From here the
trail undulates through the forest to Bamboo (1,917m) and further on to Pairo
(1,700m) for lunch. After lunch we leave the river and climb steeply for an
hour to a small tea shop. From here the trail contours round into a side
valley and drops to cross the river by bridge. We then have another steep
climb up to Syabru, a village which straddles a ridge (2,250m). There are
great views looking back to the Langtang Valley and from just behind the
lodges we can see the Ganesh Himal on a clear day.
*Teahouse*
Day 10
A short but quite tough walk as we have a long steep climb out of Syabru. We
walk through scrub forest and the occasional settlement among the fields, and
then through magnificent rhododendron thickets until we reach the top of the
ridge at Phoprang Danda,(3,200m), where we have magnificent views of the
mountains. After a well-deserved tea break the trail continues on up the
ridge, but less steeply now, to the small settlement of Sing Gompa. There are
a few lodges here, a small temple and a cheese factory. Red Pandas have been
spotted in the forests around here and in the afternoon the energetic can
walk up the hill behind the lodge for views on a clear day.
*Teahouse*
Day 11
Today is probably the best day of the trek for amazing panoramic mountain
views. Climbing a little less steeply this morning we follow the ridge for
most of the day. We will have fantastic panoramic views of the Annapurnas,
Himalchuli, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal to the west and Langtang Himal to the
north-east. We pass through Cholang Pati (3,620m), where there are a few tea
shops and after this we gradually leave the trees behind. Climbing further up
the ridge the views are even better as we reach Laurebeneyak (3,950m). We
stop for lunch at one of the lodges here with plenty of time to admire the
magnificent panorama. In the afternoon we climb further up the ridge and
finally we contour round into the next valley. A fantastic path high above
the first of the holy lakes. The trail undulates now until we finally reach
the third lake, Gosainkund, at 4,430m. This lake is particularly sacred and a
place of pilgrimage in the summer. It is said to have been created when the
god Shiva, suffering from thirst due to a poison, thrust his trident into the
mountainside, whereupon three streams burst forth and ran together to form
the lake. We stay close to a shrine by the lake, where there are a few
pilgrim shelters. As the sun sets the reflection on the lake is incredible as
the lake becomes one shimmering mass of gold. It is a truly magnificent
sight.
(Please note that in spring season there can be snow on this section)
*Teahouse*
Day 12
A tough day today as we cross the Laurebena Pass. The trail descends from the
lodge past the pilgrim shelters to the lake. We then climb up though bare and
rugged terrain, passing four smaller lakes before we reach the summit of the
Laurebena Pass at 4,650m. It will take us approximately 2.5hrs to the top of
the pass. There are magnificent views to the north and west, and as we
descend there are superb panoramic vistas over the Nepal midlands. We now
have a steep descent for about 2.5hrs on a rocky trail to Phedi, where we
have lunch. After lunch, we still have another 3.5hrs walk. At first, we
descend a little but the rest of the afternoon takes us on a roller coaster
trail up and down the valley. There are many short steep uphill sections
followed by short downhill sections. We are now back in the forest and we
finally come to our lodge at Gopte (3,416m).
*Teahouse*
Day 13
A long day but mostly downhill. The morning starts with a short downhill and
then a climb up to Tharepati (3,650m). The climb is well worth the effort for
the amazing views from here. Looking north we can see the Jugal and Everest
Himals and on a really clear day we can see right across to Everest. After a
short break to admire the views we start to descend into the Helambu valley.
We continue walking on an undulating path through thick rhododendron forest
with a short climb up to lunch at Mangangoth. After lunch it is all the way
down to our last night in a teahouse at Kutumsang. There are fine views back
to the Langtang and Jugal Himals, and if it is clear other ranges can also be
seen.
*Teahouse*
Day 14
We leave early this morning and start by descending from Kutumsang down into
the valley below. The walk should take us about 4hrs through farms and
terraces to the valley bottom at 1,040m. We will meet our transport at
Chunauti and from here we drive through Melamchi and back to Kathmandu
(approx. 5 hours’ drive). Depending on traffic we should arrive to our
hotel in the early evening.
*Hotel Royal Singi (or similar)*
Day 15
After the long day yesterday we have a free day to explore Kathmandu. You may
want to visit the Durbar Square of Kathmandu, the Buddhist stupa at
Boudhanath, the Hindu temple at Pashupatinath or the monkey temple at
Swayambhunath. The Thamel District is a good place to explore with its maze
of shops and restaurants. There is also the opportunity today to take an
early morning scenic Everest mountain flight. This can be booked and paid for
locally by your leader. Please read the ‘Optional Excursions’ section
below for information regarding flying in Nepal.
*Hotel Royal Singi (or similar)*
Day 16
The tour ends after breakfast. The group flight is a day flight scheduled to
depart in the morning. Those on the group flights or who have booked a
transfer through Exodus will be transferred to the airport.
What's Included
-
Meals
14 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.
* All breakfasts
* Morning bed-tea on trek
* Welcome drink at each overnight lodge
* 3 nights standard hotels and 11 nights teahouses
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout, plus local staff (staff to client ratio of 1:4 on
trek)
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Full porterage throughout trek
* Exodus kitbag
* Trekking map (provided locally)
* Trekking permit and national park fees
What's Not Included
-
Hire package incl. down jacket and sleeping bag from £56
-
Visas and vaccinations
-
Sleeping bag (hire in advance from £49
-
Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu only)
-
Travel insurance
-
Down jacket (hire in advance from £49
-
)
-
)
Accommodation
This trip spends three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu and 11 nights on trek in basic lodges (teahouses).
In Kathmandu, we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, located within walking distance of the buzzy Thamel district. There is a restaurant, bar and outdoor courtyard. There is complimentary wifi in the hotel lobby and wifi codes are available from reception for the rooms. There is an Exodus desk in the hotel reception area and an Exodus representative is usually available daily in the mornings and evenings.
The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains.
The lodges in Lama Hotel, Gosainkund and Gopte belong to the national park and are not privately owned. Because of this, they are not as well-kept, and the standard is lower than that of the other lodges we use. They are the only options in these locations.
The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Some teahouses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions.
Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and your leader will not offer this to you. Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all lodges have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch (flashlight) is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room, charged at approximately 150-350 Nepalese rupees (US$1.15/US$2.65) per hour per device.
Please note, many of the lodges use solar power so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental.
The bedrooms are now almost all twin-share (although very occasionally during peak seasons you may be asked to share with three to five people to a room for the odd night). Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated and can get cold at night, so you need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.
Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually Asian squat style; although some lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided, so bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the waste can provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it or ask the lodge to.
Some lodges now have hot gas or solar showers (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees per shower) but don’t expect them every night. Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a showerhead.
Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand-sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks, mealtimes and after handling money.
As a general rule, the higher altitude you go to, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become.
Extra accommodation
If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your sales representative.
Single accommodation
If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.
Food
Breakfast is included throughout the trip.
In the teahouses breakfast will comprise of a choice of bread (a slice of
toast, chapatti or Tibetan bread), a choice of egg (boiled, fried or
omelette), and a choice between either muesli or porridge each day. Hot
tea/coffee will also be served. On specific days, there will not be a choice
for breakfast and either a trekkers breakfast (egg, hash brown, baked beans
and toast) or a pancake with jam/honey will be served - these options are not
available in all teahouses and so we have only included them in locations
where they can be guaranteed.
Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route - sometimes one of your guides
will go ahead with the group's order to make it more expedient. Dinner will
be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as
teahouses base their room rate on it).
Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably
extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese
dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and
comes in many different forms but generally comprises some curried lentil
dhal and meat or vegetables, some rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular
snack is momos; a type of Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed, filled with
meat or vegetables.
Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on
trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for
several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or
illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend
using hand sanitiser.
If you have a gluten free diet, then we strongly recommend you bring some
extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will
be little variety available for you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of
the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten free breakfast options will
be limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of egg, and on specific days
only, a trekkers breakfast (without the toast / with an extra egg) will be
served. Breakfast options for vegans will be limited to a choice of
muesli/porridge with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers
breakfast (without the egg), or vegetable fried rice will be served. If you
are lactose intolerant as opposed to vegan then the same will apply although
you will also have a choice of egg each day.
If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than
the suggested amount.
*Drinking Water*
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but
particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at
least 3-4 litres per person per day.
We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this
contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking
areas.
The lodge at Kyanjin has a UV water filter (donated by Exodus) and you will
be provided with safe drinking water free of charge here.
The teahouses sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price
increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is
also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.
Alternatively, all teahouses will provide cold water free of charge, if
requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you
bring a reusable bottle (or two) and use an effective form of water
treatment. There are a wide range of products available these days which are
more effective than traditional purification tablets - we recommend talking
to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving
all the time: make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing
conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold
conditions).
Handheld UV filters such as a ‘SteriPEN’ are widely available to purchase
from online retailers such as Amazon and Ebay – they’re very effective,
can treat 1 litre of water in a couple of minutes and the water is ready
immediately – look for lightweight lithium battery models and remember that
you will need to bring a wide-mouthed bottle (e.g. Nalgene) for use with
these devices.
There are also an array of water filter and purifier bottles on the market
but be wary of their weight, bottles with a small capacity and the products
performance in freezing conditions. Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a
filtration system that eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological
contaminants from any non-salt water source – please visit
https://watertogo.eu/exodus/"
target="_blank">Water-to-Go for more information*. Exodus customers can claim
15% off your first order, and better still, 15% of the purchase value will be
donated to the **Exodus Travels Foundation [1]**.* Please note that if the
water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event, defrost before
use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
[1] node/211076
Check out our Q&As
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Sunday
Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 17, 2024 - Dec 01, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Mar 09, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Mar 23, 2025 - Apr 06, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 19, 2025 - Nov 02, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 16, 2025 - Nov 30, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 23, 2025 - Dec 07, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.